LAKE MILTON — An elderly couple was killed in a house fire that began shortly before 3:30 a.m. Saturday, on Roselawn Street near Lake Milton.

Fire Chief Harold Maynard said the department received its first call from Mahoning County 911 at 3:25 a.m.

The single-story wood frame house was fully involved when the fire department arrived on scene, Maynard said.

A relative of the home’s residents arrived on the scene shortly after the fire department. It was at that time fire officials were told they could still be inside the home.

Maynard said his firefighters attempted to enter the house, but the flames were too hot and too involved to gain access.

Fire departments from Newton Falls, Lordstown, Jackson Township, Berlin Township, Paris Township and Palmyra provided mutual aid to the department.

Newton Falls Fire Department sent a rescue truck and Lordstown sent an engine truck.

Maynard said the bodies of the two elderly residents were found in different areas of the house.

A representative of the state fire marshal’s office arrived on the scene and is doing a report. At this time, the cause of the fire and the estimated amount of damage done to the home have not been determined.

A coroner’s investigation is ongoing, and the names of the victims have not been released.

“The department remained on scene until 11 a.m. Saturday,” Maynard said.

Maynard said it is difficult for firefighters any time there are fatalities, but the couple was well known in the community.

news@tribtoday.com